Support Spay/Neuter Measures in Dallas!

What's the problem?
Last year, 26,979 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens were put down in City of Dallas shelters last year - another 13,000+ were found dead on the streets. It's clear that Dallas has a pet overpopulation crisis - there are too many unwanted pets crowding under resourced shelters, and not enough of them are finding homes.

What can be done about it?
We mentioned in a previous post that many cities across the nation have found that requiring people to spay or neuter their pets has lead to a drop in the number of animals being euthanized at taxpayer expense, and also lead to increased adoption rates in shelters.

There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your pet, besides helping to alleviate the pet overpopulation issue - to learn more, download a fact sheet by the ASPCA on spaying and neutering from the Companions for Life website in English or Spanish.

Learn what Companions for Life is doing about this crisis:
Companions for Life has recently teamed up with Metroplex Animal Coalition in support of mandatory spay/neuter ordinances in the city of Dallas - you can read more about this, including an executive summary of the changes being requested at the Dallas Animal Advocates site.

Do something!
If you'd like to add your support to our proposal, please sign our petition encouraging the Dallas Mayor and City Council to adopt these new measures. We are aiming to get 10,000 signatures, so every signature counts!

People of Dallas - don't stand by and let your tax dollars be used to kill unwanted animals! Sign here to tell your City Council you want change!

Say it (safely) with Flowers!

Birthdays, get well wishes, anniversaries - there are multiple opportunities in the year to give flowers, but how do you know if the bouquet you give that special someone is safe for their pets?

Never fear! The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center experts have some suggestions for pet-friendly selections at 1-800-FLOWERS.com. Click here to see some beautiful violets, orchids and Gerber daisies recommended by the ASPCA that are non-toxic to pets. Roses are also non-toxic, but remember to remove those pesky thorns that can prick or scratch a pet's nose!

And because we all like to do good without trying, when you use promotion code ASPCA when ordering, 1-800-FLOWERS.com will donate 10 percent of the net proceeds from your purchase to the ASPCA.

Puppy Love: a story of understanding

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy.

'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.''Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. 'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?' 'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. 'Here, Dolly!' he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.

'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.'

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. 'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'

With thanks to KC for sending this in...

Teach Your Kids to Be Kind To Animals

May 4-10 is Be Kind to Animals Week - an initiative founded in 1915 by the American Humane Association to celebrate the unique bond between animals and humans. Click here for some simple suggestions on being kind to animals from the American Humane Association.

Be Kind to Animals Week is a particularly good opportunity to teach kids compassion and respect for animals – have a talk to your child about why it’s important to look out for our animal companions, or find stories, projects, games and more at sites like Kind News Online, and ARF Rescue Patrol.

The National PTA Conference in 1933 asserted that “humane education is key to solving the enormous pet overpopulation problem in our country…” and notes that “Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations to each other…” We can all do with more justice, kindness and mercy in our society – today more than ever.

Because of this, Companions for Life offers Humane Education resources and programs to teach children respect and responsibility for pets, animal safety, compassion, caring, and the importance of spay/neuter and adoption. The goal is to ultimately help build a more compassionate society that places great value on the role of companion animals.

Parents and teachers, check out programs and information offered by Companions for Life to help you teach kids to make every week Be Kind to Animals Week:

• Visit our Just for Teachers page for a whole range of helpful resources and lesson plans designed specifically for the classroom!
• Companions for Life also provides humane education programs to children and adults in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We can send trained humane educators to conduct fun, interactive on-site lessons for groups of children, using professionally-developed humane education workbooks and materials. These programs can be custom tailored for youth groups, day care centers, summer camps, special events, and private schools and designed for kids of all ages.

No More Disposable Pets!

We’ve mentioned before that 3-4 million animals are euthanized every year across the country because shelters can’t keep up with the influx of abandoned, stray, unsuitable or otherwise unwanted pets.

We’ve talked about the issue of shelter overcrowding and how responsible pet ownership actions like spaying/neutering, microchipping and adopting can reduce the number of strays and unwanted pets adding to the problem.

What we haven’t told you is the sordid reality animal shelters have to live with – the story of what happens to those 3-4 million animals who die every year because of human indifference, and the story of the shelter workers who bear the burden of those deaths.

It’s hard to know – because once you do, you can’t un-know and then you have to do something. So we’re going to tell you – because if just one person reads this blog and decides they’re going to do even just one thing to address the problem, a life has been saved.

Steve Blows of The Dallas Morning News ran this piece on Thursday telling the story of what happens to animals that aren’t adopted – they’re “dealt with – needle stick after needle stick, 80 to 100 times a day” by shelter workers afraid to give their names because people would turn on them for “taking up the slack.. because someone has been irresponsible.”

It’s heart rending to read about a trusting and happy dog – “a black-and-tan mutt with eager eyes and a wagging tail” - brought into the sterile back room of an animal shelter, only to be efficiently dispatched in the ultimate betrayal he will suffer at the hands of humans. It’s appalling to think of the psychological cost to shelter workers, many of them who do the job because they love animals, having to steel themselves to take one innocent life after another.

And it’s shameful to know that because there are so many of them, these thousands of unwanted pets will not even achieve dignity in death. They will be bagged and carried in twice-daily ignominy “to the landfill to be buried with the rest of the city's trash”.

How many of you would be OK with this happening to a family member? Because that’s what our pets are – they’re family – dependent on us for their very lives.

If you’re not OK with it, then we challenge you to do your bit! Adopt a pet from a shelter or humane association. Have your pets spayed or neutered. Microchip and tag them. Keep them safe so they can’t get lost. Educate your friends, family and colleagues.

Pets are family – they’re not landfill.

Animals Everywhere Love Volunteers!

In honor of National Volunteer week, we'd like to share this poem (modified a little from the original we found on this site). Thank you to everyone who volunteers on behalf of animals everywhere!

Jeni Selesky with Dallas Animal Services holds Bailey, a 5-month-old collie mix available for adoption

The Reason (to you from all your rescue animals)
- Author Unknown

I would've died that day if not for you.

I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.

I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.

I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care

Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,

skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it,

beds to sleep on, someone to love me,

to show me I deserve love just because I exist.

Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands

Your big heart saved me...

You saved me from the terror of the pound,

Soothing away the memories of my old life.

You have taught me what it means to be loved.

I have seen you do the same for other pets like me.

I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair

Why you do it-

When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes

You open your heart a little bigger,stretch the money a little tighter

Make just a little more room...

to save one more like me.

I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes

In the best way I know how

Reminding you why you go on trying.

I am the reason

The pets before me are the reason

As are the ones who come after.

Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given

We would die if not for you.

If you are considering volunteering, contact your local animal shelter, humane society or rescue group. Sites like VolunteerMatch.org make it easy to find rewarding ways to make a difference in any way you can.

Save the date - Lone Star Pet Adoption Marathon happening this Saturday!

This coming Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 2 dozen local animal shelters, humane societies and breed rescue groups will participate in the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition’s Lone Star Pet Adoptathon at The Ballpark in Arlington.

The festive parking lot event will showcase shelters and rescue groups as the place to find the perfect pet - and will even feature adoptable animals so you can get your new perfect pet right away!

Companions For Life will be on hand to educate new and potential adopters about basic pet care and responsibility and the importance of adoption in fighting the pet overpopulation problem. We will also have free pet care coloring books for the kids.

The Ballpark in Arlington is located on I-30 at Ballpark Way in Arlington. There is no charge for admission to the Lone Star Pet Adoptathon, and the cost to adopt a dog or cat will vary depending on the animal shelter or humane group. For more information, visit www.sheltercoalition.com.

Why have an adoption marathon?

Thousands of dogs and cats sit in North Texas shelters and animal welfare organizations for days, weeks and sometimes months waiting for new homes because few people think of animal shelters or breed-specific rescue groups when they are ready to add a new pet to the family.

“Sadly, only 15% of pet owners get their furry companions from an animal welfare organization,” says Anne Thomason, president of the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition (TASC). “The other 85 percent acquire pets from breeders, pet stores or from friends.”

But animal shelters and rescue groups have puppies, kittens, purebred dogs and cats, and older pets that all need a second chance at a new home. “One of the benefits of adopting a pet is that every adoption really saves two lives: the animal being adopted, and the animal you’re making room for,” said Tammy Kirkpatrick, coordinator of TASC’s Lone Star Pet Adoptathon.

Among the shelters, rescue groups and educational organizations participating in the Lone Star Pet Adoptathon are Dallas Animal Services, Companions for Life, 911 Wildlife, Irving Animal Services, Feral Friends, Arlington Animal Services, Chris' Rescue Angels, Tri-City Animal Shelter, Hope Humane Society, DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue, North Richland Hills Animal Services, Coppell Animal Services, DFW Humane Society, Mansfield Animal Services, Humane Society of North Texas, SPCA of Texas, Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas, Southern States Rottie Rescue, Operation Kindness, Huts for Mutts Dog Rescue, DFW Shih Tzus & More Rescue, Mobile Animal Rescue Services, Fort Worth Animal Services, Animal Angels, Mid Cities Humane Society and Lamar County Humane Society.

Tips for cat allergy sufferers

Many cats are surrendered to shelters because someone in the family (often a new addition such as a partner or a child) has allergies. Anywhere from 2% to 15% of the world’s population is allergic to cats, and up to 40% of Asthma sufferers are particularly affected.

Research has revealed that FEL D1, a small protein found only in cats, is produced in the sebaceous glands of their skin and saliva and is responsible for 60% to 90% of allergic responses to felines, including streaming eyes, sneezing and asthma.

But does having an allergy mean you have to give up your beloved pet? Not necessarily! For some people, having the best of both worlds is simply a matter of addressing symptoms, taking certain steps to reduce the amount of allergens they are exposed to, or choosing a particular breed that is less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.

First of all we suggest that the affected person is allergy tested to make sure that the reaction is definitely a cat allergy before you go through the trauma of giving up your pet. If you are definitely allergic to cats, you can try the following measures to reduce your exposure to the allergen and therefore either reduce or eliminate your reaction.

• Wash your hands immediately after handling your cat, and don’t touch your eyes
• Ensure your cat is spayed or neutered – the highest levels of FEL D1 are found in un-neutered males followed by un-spayed females. Neuters of both sexes have considerably lower levels, as do kittens. Early sterilization is highly recommended to prevent the rapid increase of the allergen as the cat approaches maturity.
• Bathe your cat at least once or twice a week with a hypoallergenic shampoo. Allerpet, a well-known brand of liquid that reduces cat allergen in the air, can be applied to your cats' coat and is available from your local veterinarian.
• Wiping the cat with a wet cloth or hand towel daily - or an Allerpet wipe - can be preferable to bathing them and will reduce the amount of dander.
• Remove your cat from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom at least until your symptoms are under control – you may need to consider permanently banning Fluffy from the bedroom though, for your own comfort.
• Carpets trap the dander and other things that are likely to keep FEL D1 levels high, so ideally reduce the number of carpeted areas in your house, or restrict your cat to a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor.
• Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner.
• Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust).
• Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions.
• Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home, which are now proven by research to be extremely helpful in killing off the cat proteins/dander, which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen.
• Cat dander can persist for months to years in the home even if the cat is gone – therefore it is important to clean thoroughly.

If you’ve always wanted a cat but never took the plunge because of your allergies, there are some existing breeds that, while not strictly hypoallergenic, at least tend to cause less severe symptoms in some people. The best way to test your reaction is to spend some time with them. Visit a breed-specific shelter or a breeder (to keep your sample “pure” and to be sure you’re only responding to the breed in question). You’ll have to go a few times, and handle the cats while you’re there, but you’ll know pretty quickly if this is a breed you can tolerate. We know of many highly allergic people who own Bengals, Siberians or Rex breeds who experience no symptoms from their cats at all.

The following breeds tend to cause less of a reaction in some people:

• Norwegian Forest Cats
• Maine Coons
• Bengals
• Russian Blue
• Siberian
• Cornish Rex
• Devon Rex
• Sphynx

The Pets 911 adoption search tool lets you look for specific breeds, so if you are looking into getting a cat and you have determined a breed that lets you breathe easy, chances are you'll be able to adopt.

Outdoor doggies will love this!

The Petsit USA blog highlighted a great new gadget today that could come in helpful during those hot summer months for pet owners whose animals live outside - it's an electronic outdoor pet drinking fountain called WaterDog, that lets your outdoor pet help itself to fresh drinking water on demand.

The WaterDog automatically turns on a stream of water from an outside tap when a dog (I'm guessing it could work for outdoor cats too) walks within a certain distance, and turns it off when they walk away. It's battery operated and comparable in price to other automated pet feeding/watering solutions.

Gadgets like this make it easy to be a responsible pet owner - keeping your pet well hydrated with clean, fresh drinking water is key and with summer on its way, it's a good time to think about how best to accommodate your outdoor pet's water requirements.